Lighting and power devices and modules

ABSTRACT

In one example, a case that is configured to be removably attached to a smartphone includes a back panel that substantially covers a back face of the smartphone when the case is attached to the smartphone, the case defining a first opening configured and arranged so that when the case is attached to the smartphone, part of a display of the smartphone is visible by way of the first opening, and the case further including one or more light sources positioned along a side edge of the first opening, and the one or more light sources operable to illuminate part of an area to be imaged by a front-facing camera of the smartphone, and the back panel has a second opening that is aligned with a rear-facing camera of the smartphone when the case is attached to the smartphone, and the case further includes an electrical connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/242,289, filed Aug. 19, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/981,583, filed Nov. 7, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,442,346, issued Sep. 13, 2016, which is a § 371 National Phase of PCTApplication No. PCT/US2012/023180, filed Jan. 30, 2012, which claimspriority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/437,572, filedJan. 28, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/501,100, filed Jun. 24, 2011. All of the aforementioned applicationsare incorporated herein in their respective entireties by thisreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable electronic devices may include personal digital assistants(PDAs), computers, smart phones, mobile phones, satellite phones,cellular phones, pagers, music players, MP3 players, media players,digital cameras, video cameras, bar code scanners, global positioningsystems (GPS), and portable game consoles. Typically, such devices arebattery powered, enabling users to carry and use the devices whilemoving or traveling from one point to another (e.g., on a bus or train,while in flight on an airplane, at the gym on the stair stepper, walkingfrom one point to another, riding a bike, or driving a car). Portableelectronic devices may allow users to play and record music, send andreceive e-mail, send and receive text messages, browse Web pages, havetelephone conversations, play and record video, take and view pictures,edit documents, and much more.

Users may protect their portable electronic devices with cases thatprotect a back portion, side portion, and front portion of the devicesfrom scratches, dings, drops, and other physical damage. Cases may beformed of a material for absorbing shock upon impact with anotherobject. In some situations, cases may be formed of rubber or rubber-likematerial.

A camera is a device that records or stores images. These images may bestill photographs or moving images, such as videos or movies. Camerasmay function with visible light from the electromagnetic spectrum oflight, or with other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum of light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention provides a case for electronic device, thecase having one or more light sources. Cases may be formed of polymericmaterials, such as rubber or a plastic, or a composite material, whichmay include metals and/or polymeric materials.

A case for a portable electronic device can include a rim portiondefining an opening for a display of the portable electronic device, andone or more light sources adjacent to the rim portion, the one or morelight sources for providing light at an illuminance of at least 1 lumenper square meter (“lux”).

The case for the portable electronic device can have a display and afront-facing camera. The case can comprise a back portion for restingagainst a back surface of the portable electronic device; and a frontportion having a rim defining an opening for a display and afront-facing camera of the portable electronic device, the front portionhaving one or more light sources thereon for illuminating an object tobe captured by the front-facing camera (e.g., a user's face) when usingthe front-facing camera.

Another aspect of the invention provides a lighting device for aportable electronic device. The lighting device can enable a user toprovide light while taking a picture or video using a front-facingcamera of the portable electronic device. In some cases, the lightingdevice can be adapted for use with a back-facing camera of the portableelectronic device.

Another aspect of the invention provides a case for a portableelectronic device having a display and a front-facing camera,comprising: a case portion. The case portion comprises a base portionfor resting against a lower portion of the portable electronic device; alower sidewall connected to the base portion, the lower sidewall forresting against a bottom side edge of the portable electronic device; arim portion at least partially defining an opening for the display andfront-facing camera of the portable electronic device; and one or morelight sources adjacent to the opening. In an embodiment, the casefurther comprises an another case portion, comprising: a roof portionfor resting against a top portion of the portable electronic device; anupper sidewall connected to the roof portion, the upper sidewall forresting against a top side edge of the portable electronic device; and asecond rim portion partially defining an upper portion of the openingfor the display and front-facing camera of the portable electronicdevice. The another case portion slides onto the portable electronicdevice.

Another aspect of the invention provides a lighting device for aportable electronic device having a display adjacent to a front-facingcamera of the portable electronic device. The lighting device comprisesone or more light sources for emitting light away from the display, theone or more light sources for emitting light at an illuminance of atleast 1 lumen per square meter (lux). In an embodiment, the one or morelight sources are for emitting light at an illuminance of at least 10lux, or at least 100 lux, or at least 1,000 lux, or at least 10,000 lux.In another embodiment, the lighting device is configured for over theair communication with the portable electronic device.

The lighting device can be include a jack connector for mating with asocket connector of a portable electronic device; a lighting memberelectrically coupled to the jack connector; and a connector electricallycoupled to the jack connector, the connector for mating with anotherlighting device. Lighting devices can be coupled to one another inseries and/or parallel to form lighting modules.

Another aspect of the invention provide a lighting device for a portableelectronic device, the portable electronic device having a display and acamera, the lighting device comprising one or more light sources forilluminating an object to be imaged during use of the camera, the one ormore light sources for providing light at an illuminance of at least 1lumen per square meter (lux); and a power member for providing power tothe one or more light sources. The lighting device is for mounting adisplay of the portable electronic device. In an embodiment, the one ormore light sources include light emitting diodes. In another embodiment,the one or more light sources are for providing light at an illuminanceof at least 10 lux, or at least 100 lux, or at least 1,000 lux, or atleast 10,000 lux. In another embodiment, the power member is for matingwith a power source of the portable electronic device. In anotherembodiment, the power member is for mating with a serial bus of theportable electronic device. In another embodiment, the serial bus isselected from Universal Serial Bus and FireWire. In another embodiment,the object to be imaged includes the face of a user.

Another aspect of the invention provides a lighting device, comprising ajack connector for mating with a socket connector of a portableelectronic device; a lighting member electrically coupled to the jackconnector; and a connector electrically coupled to the jack connector,the connector for mating with another lighting device. In an embodiment,the lighting device further comprises a battery in electricalcommunication with the jack connector. In another embodiment, thelighting device further comprises a socket connector for mating with ajack connector. In another embodiment, the lighting device furthercomprises a switch in electrical communication with the jack connector.In another embodiment, the lighting member is a light emitting diode.

Another aspect of the invention provides a power device comprising ajack connector for mating with a socket connector of a portableelectronic device; and a battery electrically coupled to the jackconnector. The battery is for providing power to or receiving power froma portable electronic device through the jack connector. In anembodiment, the power device further comprises a switch electricallycoupled to the battery. In another embodiment, the power device furthercomprises a socket for mating with a jack connector. In anotherembodiment, the power device further comprises a connector for couplingto another power device or a lighting device.

In some cases, multiple power devices can be connected to one another inseries and/or parallel to form power modules. In some cases, powerdevices can be connected to lighting devices.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system for image or videocapture, comprising an electronic device having a camera and a display;and a lighting device coupled to the electronic device, the lightingdevice for providing light enhancement to an object to be captured bysaid camera. In an embodiment, the lighting device is separable fromsaid electronic device. In another embodiment, the display includes auser interface for displaying said object to be captured by said camera.In another embodiment, the user interface is configured to synchronizethe supply of power to said lighting device with image or video captureby said camera. In another embodiment, the user interface is a graphicaluser interface.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for mounting a case onan electronic device, comprising providing a case or lighting device asdescribed above, alone or in combination, and mounting the case orlighting device on a portable electronic device.

Another aspect of the invention provides a lighting system for aportable electronic device, comprising a case or lighting device asdescribed above, alone or in combination, mounted on a portableelectronic device.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system for image or videocapture, comprising a user interface implemented via machine-executablecode stored on a memory location of a portable electronic device,wherein said user interface interfaces with a lighting device attachedto said portable electronic device. The lighting device in some cases isremovably (or separably) attached to said portable electronic device. Insome situations, the user interface is a graphical user interface.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will becomereadily apparent to those skilled in this art from the followingdetailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of thepresent disclosure are shown and described. As will be realized, thepresent disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, andits several details are capable of modifications in various obviousrespects, all without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, thedrawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,and not as restrictive.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings (also “Figures” and “FIG.” herein) of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an electronic device, such as, forexample, an Apple® iPhone®;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a case for a portable electronicdevice, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a case for a portable electronicdevice, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a case for a portable electronic device,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates a lighting device mounted on a portable electronicdevice, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5Billustrates a lighting device mounted on a tablet personal computer, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a lighting device, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a lighting module, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8A-8D schematically illustrate examples of lighting device, inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a lighting module, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a power device, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary lighting device, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a process flow, as can be implemented on a user interfaceprovided herein, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 shows a portable electronic device having a graphical userinterface, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 shows a general purpose computer system configured for use withdevices and systems provided herein, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIGS. 15A-15G show examples of user interfaces, as can be used withlighting modules and systems provided herein, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While preferable embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the invention. It should be understoodthat various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein may be employed in practicing the invention.

The term “lighting member,” as used herein, refers to a light source. Alighting member is an electronic device or a component of an electronicdevice configured to emit electromagnetic radiation (“light”), such asvisible, infrared and/or ultraviolet light. In some embodiments, alighting member is selected from the group consisting of incandescentlamp, fluorescent lamp, compact fluorescent lamp, cold cathodefluorescent lamp (CCFL), high-intensity discharge lamp andlight-emitting diode (LED). In an example, a lighting member is formedon a circuit board of a device configured to communication with aportable electronic device, such as via over the air (“OTA”)communication. In some situations, a lighting member is configured toemit visible light of at least about 1 lux, or at least about 2 lux, orat least about 3 lux, or at least about 4 lux, or at least about 5 lux,or at least about 6 lux, or at least about 7 lux, or at least about 8lux, or at least about 9 lux, or at least about 10 lux, or at leastabout 50 lux, or at least about 100 lux, or at least about 500 lux, orat least about 1,000 lux, or at least about 50,000 lux, or at leastabout 10,000 lux.

The term “lighting device,” as used herein, refers to an electronicdevice or system having one or more lighting members.

When a user uses a front-facing camera, the lighting conditions areoften not adequate or ideal. Adjusting the lighting may provide for amore visible image or enhance the quality of the image, which in somecases may be similar to the way cosmetics enhance a person's appearance.Cases and lighting devices for portable electronic devices may enhanceor adjust lighting conditions for a user when using a camera of aportable electronic device to take a picture, movie or video when usinga front-facing camera. An application on a portable electronic devicemay provide lighting to enhance lighting conditions (“In app lighting”).Adequate or ideal lighting conditions may permit the user or othersubject (e.g., another user) to enhance the quality of the picture,movie or video by providing more cosmetic lighting conditions.

Reference will now be made to the figures. It will be appreciated thatthe figures and structures therein are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 shows a portable electronic device 100 having a display 105,earpiece 110, access button 115 and camera 120. The portable electronicdevice 100 can be a Smart phone (e.g., iPhone), tablet PC (e.g., AppleiPad), or music player (e.g., Apple iPod touch). The portable electronicdevice 100 can have a front-facing camera. The access button 115 may befor accessing one or more features of the device 100, such as a homescreen of the user interface (“UI”) of the device 100. The earpiece 110permits a user to communicate with another user in a telephonicconversation. The camera 120 is disposed in a front portion of theelectronic device 100 (i.e., “front-facing” camera). The camera 120 isat a front side of the device 100, the front side having the display105. The camera 120 is configured to face a user when the user isviewing the display 105. The device 100 may include a camera (inaddition to or in place of the camera 120) at a side of the device 100opposite from the side having the camera 120. In some cases, the device100 may include a camera on a back side of the device 100, which maypermit a user to take a picture or video of other objects, includingother users. In such a case, the display 105 may permit the user to takea desirable picture of an object. Device may allow for over the aircommunication (“OTA communication”) to other mobile devices and/orhardware components. Such OTA communication may use standards, such asBluetooth, various WiFi protocols, infrared, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the portable electronic device 100may enable a user to use “FaceTime” or any other application (e.g.,Skype, Tango) to have a video conversation with another user. Forexample, the first user may use the portable electronic device 100 tohave a video conversation (or “video chat” or “video conference call”)with a second or more users. During the conversation, the first user maysee the second or more users in the display 105, and the camera 120 maypermit the second and any other user to see the first user.Additionally, the device 100 may enable a user to take a picture orvideo of herself or himself. For example, the user may bring the user'sface in line of sight with, or within the scope of, the camera 120. Thedisplay 105 may permit the user to adjust and orient the device 100 andthe user's image in the display 105, as desired. The user may then takea picture or video of herself or himself with the aid of the camera 120.

Although device 100 with front-facing camera 120 has various advantages,there are limitations associated with such a device. For example, anylighting provided by the display 105 upon a user taking a picture orvideo of the user may be inadequate in locations in which ambientlighting is poor. Poor lighting for the front-facing camera (such ascamera 120 of FIG. 1) may lead to poor image quality. In some cases, theimage quality may not be adequate to permit clear recognition of one ormore users in the image. In addition, if a user desires to use theportable electronic device 100 with front-facing camera 120 for cosmeticor grooming purposes, such as for applying makeup to the user's face orto trim the user's facial hairs, the user may experience difficulty, asthe lighting provided by the portable electronic device 100, includingthe screen of the portable electronic device 100, may be inadequate. Thelighting may not be very flattering or appropriate for capturingportraits. In addition, any lighting that may be provided by the screenof the portable electronic device may make it difficult for the user toview the user's face during use. There is thus a need for improvedlighting methods for portable electronic devices having front-facingcameras, such as electronic device 100.

Cases, lighting devices and lighting modules provided herein mayadvantageously provide improved lighting conditions for portableelectronic devices having front-facing cameras, such as the portableelectronic device 100 of FIG. 1. In some situations, cases, lightingdevices and lighting modules improve the manner in which one userinteracts with another user via a portable electronic device equippedwith a camera. Devices provided herein may provide for improvedportraits and videos.

In embodiments, cases having light sources are provided for protecting aportable electronic device while lighting a user (or any other object)in front of a front-facing camera of the portable electronic device.

Cases for Portable Electronic Devices

In an aspect of the invention, a case for a portable electronic deviceis provided. In one embodiment, the case comprises a rim portiondefining an opening for a display of the portable electronic device, andone or more light sources adjacent to the rim portion, the one or morelight sources for providing light.

The one or more light sources may be for providing visible light. In oneembodiment, the one or more light sources may be for providing visiblelight at an illuminance of at least 1 lumen per square meter (lux). Inanother embodiment, the one or more light sources may be for providinginfrared (IR) light or ultraviolet (UV) light. In another embodiment,the one or more light sources may be for providing one or more of IR, UVand visible light.

The one or more light sources may be for providing light at anilluminance of at least about 1 lux, or at least about 2 lux, or atleast about 3 lux, or at least about 4 lux, or at least about 5 lux, orat least about 6 lux, or at least about 7 lux, or at least about 8 lux,or at least about 9 lux, or at least about 10 lux, or at least about 50lux, or at least about 100 lux, or at least about 500 lux, or at leastabout 1,000 lux, or at least about 50,000 lux, or at least about 10,000lux.

A case may include any number of light sources. In one embodiment, thecase may include 1 or more, or 2 or more, or 3 or more, or 4 more, or 5or more, or 6 or more, or 7 or more, or 8 or more, or 9 or more, or 10or more, or 15 or more, or 20 or more or 30 or more, or 40 or more, or50 or more, or 100 or more, or 1000 or more light sources. The lightsources may be disposed or situated in various configurations. Forexample, the light sources may be distributed in a plurality of groupsof light sources, such as a group of light sources at a top portion ofthe case and a group of light sources at a bottom of the case. The lightsources may be evenly placed around the case.

In some situations, a light source may be glued to a case, such as a rimportion of a case. In another embodiment, a light source may be embeddedin a case. In other situations, a light source may be provided in animpression or hole formed in a case, the impression or hole having ashape and size for securing the light source. Alternatively, the casemay be formed of a material of the light source. As another alternative,if a light source includes a light emitting diode (LED) or organic LED(OLED), the case may be formed of a semiconductor orsemiconductor-containing material, and the light source may be formeddirectly in the case.

In one embodiment, a case for a portable electronic device having adisplay and a front-facing camera comprises a back portion for restingagainst a back surface of the portable electronic device, and a frontportion having a rim defining an opening for a display and afront-facing camera of the portable electronic device, the front portionhaving one or more light sources thereon for illuminating a user's faceduring use of the front-facing camera.

A case for a portable electronic device having a display and afront-facing camera may comprise a first case portion and a second caseportion. The first case portion may include a base portion for restingagainst a lower portion of the portable electronic device. The firstcase portion may further include a lower sidewall connected to the baseportion, the lower sidewall for resting against a bottom side edge ofthe portable electronic device. The first case portion may furtherinclude a rim portion at least partially defining an opening for thedisplay and front-facing camera of the portable electronic device, andone or more light sources adjacent to the opening. The second caseportion may include a roof portion for resting against a top portion ofthe portable electronic device. The second case portion may furtherinclude an upper sidewall connected to the roof portion, the uppersidewall for resting against a top side edge of the portable electronicdevice, and a second rim portion partially defining an upper portion ofthe opening for the display and front-facing camera of the portableelectronic device.

The first case portion, the second case portion, or both may beconfigured to slide onto a portable electronic device. In some cases,the second case portion may be configured to mate with the first caseportion. For example, the first case portion may couple to the secondcase portion to define a case.

With reference to FIG. 2, a case 200 is shown for mounting a portableelectronic device, such as the portable electronic device 100 of FIG. 1,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The case 200 includesa first case portion 205 and second case portion 210, a hole 215 forpermitting a user to access an access button of a portable electronicdevice mounted by the case 200 (such as, e.g., the access button 115 ofFIG. 1), a connector 220 for mating with an electronic interface (orpower source) of the portable electronic device, and a rim portion 225.The first case portion 205 may be a first half of the case 200, and thesecond case portion 205 may be a second half of the case. The rimportion 225 defines an opening 230 of the case 200, the opening 230 forpermitting a user to view a display of the portable electronic device,such as, e.g., the display 105 of the device 100 of FIG. 1. Theconnector 220 may be disposed at a lower portion of a cavity of the case200, the cavity sized and/or having a geometry for accepting a portableelectronic device (e.g., the portable electronic device may be able tofreely slide into and out of the cavity). The cavity may be defined by afront portion and back portion of the case 200, the front portion forcoming in contact with or resting against (or in proximity to) a frontsurface of a portable electronic device, the back portion for coming incontact with or resting against (or in proximity to) a back surface ofthe portable electronic device.

The case 200 may include a plurality of light sources for illuminatingone or more objects in line of sight of the light sources. In theillustrated embodiment, the case 200 includes six light sources 235 onthe rim portion 225 and around the opening 230. In one embodiment, thelight sources 235 may be light emitting diodes (LEDs). In anotherembodiment, the light sources 235 may be organic LEDs (OLEDs).

The first case portion 205 may include a base portion 240 for restingagainst a lower portion of a portable electronic device, and a lowersidewall 245 connected to the base portion 240, the lower sidewall 245for resting against a bottom side edge of the portable electronicdevice. A portion of the rim portion 225 disposed in the first caseportion 205 partially defines the opening 230. The second case portion210 includes a roof portion 250 for resting against a top portion of theportable electronic device, and an upper side wall 255 connected to theroof portion 250 for resting against a top side edge of the portableelectronic device. A portion of the rim portion 225 disposed in thesecond case portion 210 partially defines the opening 230. With thefirst case portion 205 and second case portion 210 mounted on a portableelectronic device (such as, e.g., portable electronic device 100 of FIG.1), the portions of the rim portion 225 collectively define the opening230.

The case 200 may be formed from a polymeric material (e.g., plastic,silicone), rubber (or a rubber-like) material, one or more metals, acomposite material, or any combination thereof. For example, the case200 may be formed of plastic or rubber. As another example, the case 200may be formed of aluminum.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the light sources 235 may be inelectrical contact with the connector 220. In one embodiment, the lightsources may be wired in a serial fashion to the connector 220. Inanother embodiment, the light sources 235 may be wired in a parallelfashion to the connector 220. The connector 220 may be configured tomate with an electronic interface of a portable electronic device (e.g.,iPhone®, iPad®) mounted by the case 200. In such a case, the portableelectronic device may provide power to the light sources, which mayenable a user to illuminate a user's face (or provide other lighting)for taking a picture or capturing a video with the aid of a front-facingcamera of the portable electronic device (see FIG. 1).

As an example, the light sources 235 may be wired in series with the aidof wires 250. As illustrated, the wires 250 are connected to theconnecter 220 in series. At each junction between the first and secondcase portions 205 and 210, an interface 255 (one on each side of thecase 200) may permit a closed circuit when the first and second caseportions 205 and 210 are mounted on a portable electronic device (andbrought in close proximity to one another). The interface 255 mayinclude a first metallic material (top) having a port to accept a secondmetallic material (bottom). The wires 250 and interfaces 255, asillustrated, are hidden from view (e.g., the wires may be disposed inthe cavity of the case 200). It will be understood, however, that otherapproaches to forming a closed circuit are possible. In addition, itwill be understood that the light sources 235 may be wired to theconnector 220 in parallel (e.g., a wire may extend from the connector220 to each of the light sources).

The light sources 235 may provide (or emit) light at an illuminance ofat least 1 lux, or at least 2 lux, or at least 3 lux, or at least 4 lux,or at least 5 lux, or at least 6 lux, or at least 7 lux, or at least 8lux, or at least 9 lux, or at least 10 lux, or at least 50 lux, or atleast 100 lux, or at least 500 lux, or at least 1,000 lux, or at least50,000 lux, or at least 10,000 lux.

While the case 200, as illustrated, includes six light sources 235, thecase 200 may include any number of light sources 235. The case 200 mayinclude 1 or more, or 2 or more, or 3 or more, or 4 more, or 5 or more,or 6 or more, or 7 or more, or 8 or more, or 9 or more, or 10 or more,or 15 or more, or 20 or more or 30 or more, or 40 or more, or 50 ormore, or 100 or more, or 1000 or more light sources. Further, the lightsources 235 may be distributed in any configuration, such as, forexample, a configuration for optimizing picture or video lightingconditions for a user. For example, the light sources 235 may bedistributed on the second case portion 210. As another example, thelight sources 235 may be distributed entirely on the first case portion205.

While the light source 235, as illustrated, are rectangular, in otherembodiments, the light sources 235 may have other shapes and sizes. Forexample, the light sources 235 may have one or more shapes selected fromcircular, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal,heptagonal, octagonal.

The light sources 235 may emit light having any of a variety of colors.For example, the light sources 235 may emit white or nearly white light,red light, green light, blue light, yellow light, orange light. In someembodiments, the light sources 235 may emit light having one or morecolors selected from white, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, indigo, orviolet. For example, the light sources may emit green and yellow light.As another example, a portion of the light sources may emit a firstcolor (e.g., orange), and a remaining portion of the light sources mayemit light of a second color (e.g., blue). Alternatively, the lightsources 235 may emit infrared (“IR”) or ultraviolet (“UV”) light.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, with the case 200 dismounted from aportable electronic device, the first case portion 205 and the secondcase portion 210 may be separate case portions. The first and secondcase portions 205 and 210 may have electrical connectors (not shown) forcreating an electric circuit having the light sources 235, theelectrical connectors configured to mate with one another when the firstand second case members 205 and 210 are mounted on a portable electronicdevice.

As an alternative, a case for a portable electronic device may have nocase portions (i.e., the case may be single-piece) or two or more caseportions. For example, a case may be a single piece without any caseportions. As another example, a case may have 2 or more, or 3 or more,or 4 or more, or 5 or more case portions.

If a case includes two or more case portions, the case portions may havedifferent sizes an configurations. FIG. 3 shows a case 300 having caseportions of different sizes. With reference to FIG. 3, the case 300 isfor mounting a portable electronic device, such as the portableelectronic device 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. The case 300 includes a first case portion 305 and secondcase portion 310, a connector 320 for mating with an electronicinterface (or power source) of the portable electronic device, and a rimportion 325. The rim portion 325 defines an opening 330 of the case 300,the opening 330 for permitting a user to view a display of the portableelectronic device, such as, e.g., the display 105 of the device 100 ofFIG. 1. The connector 320 is disposed at a lower portion of a cavity ofthe case 300, the cavity for accepting a portable electronic device. Thecavity may be defined by a front portion and back portion of the case300, the front portion for coming in contact with or resting against (orin proximity to) a front surface of a portable electronic device, theback portion for coming in contact with or resting against (or inproximity to) a back surface of the portable electronic device.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the case 300 may include a pluralityof light sources for illuminating one or more objects in line of sightof the light sources. In the illustrated embodiment, the case 300includes eight light sources 335 on the rim portion 325 and around theopening 330. In one embodiment, the light sources 335 may be lightemitting diodes (LEDs). In another embodiment, the light sources 335 maybe organic LEDs (OLEDs).

The first case portion 305 may include a base portion 340 for restingagainst a lower portion of a portable electronic device (e.g., iPhone®,Android-enabled phone), and a lower sidewall 345 connected to the baseportion 340, the lower sidewall 345 for resting against a bottom sideedge of the portable electronic device. A portion of the rim portion 325disposed in the first case portion 305 partially defines the opening330. The second case portion 310 may include a roof portion 350 forresting against a top portion of the portable electronic device, and anupper side wall 355 connected to the roof portion 350 for restingagainst a top side edge of the portable electronic device. A portion ofthe rim portion 325 disposed in the second case portion 310 partiallydefines the opening 330. With the first case portion 305 and second caseportion 210 mounted on a portable electronic device (such as, e.g.,electronic device 100 of FIG. 1), the portions of the rim portion 325collectively define the opening 330.

In one embodiment, the case 300 may be formed from a polymeric material(e.g., plastic), rubber (or rubber-like) material, metal, a compositematerial, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the case300 may be formed of a polymeric material.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the light sources 335 are inelectrical contact with the connector 320. In one embodiment, the lightsources may be wired in a serial fashion to the connector 320. Inanother embodiment, the light sources 335 may be wired in a parallelfashion to the connector 320. The connector 320 may be configured tomate with an electronic interface of a portable electronic devicemounted by the case 300. In such a case, the portable electronic devicemay provide power to the light sources, which may enable a user toilluminate a user's face upon taking a picture or capturing a video withthe aid of a front-facing camera of the portable electronic device (seeFIG. 1).

In one embodiment, the light sources 335 may provide light at anilluminance of at least about 1 lux, or at least about 2 lux, or atleast about 3 lux, or at least about 4 lux, or at least about 5 lux, orat least about 6 lux, or at least about 7 lux, or at least about 8 lux,or at least about 9 lux, or at least about 10 lux, or at least about 50lux, or at least about 100 lux, or at least about 500 lux, or at leastabout 1,000 lux, or at least about 50,000 lux, or at least about 10,000lux.

While the case 300, as illustrated, may include eight light sources 335,in other embodiments, the case 300 may include any number of lightsources 335. In one embodiment, the case 300 may include 1 or more, or 2or more, or 3 or more, or 4 more, or 5 or more, or 6 or more, or 7 ormore, or 8 or more, or 9 or more, or 10 or more, or 15 or more, or 20 ormore or 30 or more, or 40 or more, or 50 or more, or 100 or more, or1000 or more light sources. In another embodiment, the light sources 335may be distributed and/or oriented in any configuration. For example,the light sources 335 may be distributed entirely on the second caseportion 310. As another example, the light sources 335 may bedistributed entirely on the first case portion 305.

While the light source 335, as illustrated, are rectangular, in otherembodiments, the light sources 335 may have other shapes and sizes. Inembodiments, the light sources 335 may have one or more shapes selectedfrom circular, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal,heptagonal, octagonal.

The light sources 335 may emit light having any of a variety of colors.In one embodiment, the light sources 335 emit white or nearly whitelight. In another embodiment, the light source 335 emit red light. Inanother embodiment, the light sources 335 emit green light. In anotherembodiment, the light sources 335 emit blue light. In anotherembodiment, the light sources 335 emit yellow light. In anotherembodiment, the light sources 335 emit orange light. In anotherembodiment, the light sources 335 emit light having one or more colorsselected from white, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, indigo, orviolet.

With the case 300 dismounted from a portable electronic device, thefirst case portion 305 and the second case portion 310 may be separatecase portions. The first and second case portions 305 and 310 may haveelectrical connectors (not shown) for creating an electric circuithaving the light sources 335, the electrical connectors configured tomate with one another when the first and second case members 305 and 310are mounted on a portable electronic device.

FIG. 4 illustrates the back of a case for a portable electronic device.A case 400 for a portable electronic device may include a battery 405,an internal printed circuit board (PCB) 410, an opening 415 for a cameraof the portable electronic device, a connector 420 for mating with anelectronic interface (or power source) of the portable electronicdevice, an interface 425 for coupling to a power source orcommunications link, and a plurality of lighting members (or lightsources) 430. The interface 425 may enable a portable electronic deviceto communicate with an external electronic device, such as anotherportable electronic device or computer system. The connector 420 mayenable the case 400 to provide power from the battery 405 to theportable electronic device when the connector 420 has mated with anelectronic interface of the portable electronic device.

The case 400 may be configured for use with a portable electronicdevice, such as a Smartphone, tablet personal computer (“PC”), or slate.For example, the case 400 may be configured for use with an Apple®iPhone® or iPad®, Android enabled phone or tablet PC, or a Microsoft®Windows Mobile® enabled phone or tablet PC.

The light sources 430 may be distributed around a rim portion of thecase. The rim portion defines an opening for enabling a user to view ascreen or display of a portable electronic device once the portableelectronic device has been inserted into the case 400. The light sourcesmay be configured to emit light of the same color or different colors,or light of varying frequencies (as described above) For example, thelight sources 430 may all emit yellow or white light. As anotherexample, each of the light sources may emit light of a different color.Further, the color of light emitted by the light sources 430 (eithercollectively or individually) may be controlled by software configuredto control the light sources. That is, software may control the coloremitted by all of the light sources 430, or by each individual lightsource (e.g., a first light source may be set to emit yellow light and asecond light source may be set to emit blue light). Software may beinstalled on a portable electronic device operatively coupled to thecase 400.

Light sources may emit light of varying frequencies (infrared, visible,ultraviolet) and intensities. For example, light source may emit red,orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo or violet light, or combinations ofsuch colors of light.

The battery 405 may be a rechargeable, removable, replaceable orsingle-use battery. In one embodiment, the battery 405 may includechemistries selected from zinc-carbon, zinc-chloride, alkaline, oxynickel hydroxide, lithium (e.g., lithium-copper oxide, lithium-irondisulfide, lithium-manganese dioxide), mercury oxide, zinc-air, silveroxide, nickel cadmium, lead acid, nickel metal hydride, nickel zinc andlithium ion. In another embodiment, the battery 405 may include anelectrochemical cell. An electrochemical cell may include a fuel cell,such as, for example, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell or a hightemperature fuel cell (e.g., solid oxide fuel cell, molten carbonatefuel cell). For example, the battery 405 may include a metal hydridefuel cell, electro-galvanic fuel cell, direct formic acid fuel cell,zinc-air fuel cell, microbial fuel cell, upflow microbial fuel cell,regenerative fuel cell, direct borohydride fuel cell, alkaline fuelcell, direct methanol fuel cell, reformed methanol fuel cell, directethanol fuel cell, proton exchange membrane fuel cell, flow battery orredox type fuel cell, phosphoric acid fuel cell, molten carbonate fuelcell, solid oxide fuel cell (e.g., tubular solid oxide fuel cell),protonic ceramic fuel cell, direct carbon fuel cell, planar solid oxidefuel cell, enzymatic biofuel cell, and magnesium-air fuel cell.

In some cases, a case may include one or more photovoltaic solar cellsor PV modules for providing energy to a battery included in the case ora portable electronic device in electrical communication with the PVcell. The PV cell or module may capture solar energy and convert thesolar energy to electrical current. Electrical current may subsequentlybe used to power the portable electronic device or charge (or re-charge)the battery.

The PV cell or module may be integrated into the case. For example, thePV cell or module may be provided on a surface of the case and inelectrical communication with the battery, a connector for mating withan interface of the portable electronic device, or both. As anotherexample, the case may be formed of a PV material, such as a flexible PVmaterial that is molded into the shape of a case.

Lighting Devices and Modules

In another aspect of the invention, lighting devices for portableelectronic devices are provided. In some situations, a lighting devicemay be mountable to a display portion of a portable electronic device.The electronic device may include a display adjacent to a front-facingcamera of the portable electronic device. The lighting device maycomprise one or more light sources for emitting light away from thedisplay. The one or more light sources may be for emitting light at anilluminance of at least 1 lumen per square meter (“lux”). In oneembodiment, the one or more light sources may be for emitting light atan illuminance of at least 10 lux, or at least 100 lux, or at least1,000 lux, or at least 10,000 lux.

In some cases, a lighting device for a portable electronic device havinga display and a camera may comprise a lighting member for mounting thedisplay of the portable electronic device, the lighting member havingone or more light sources for illuminating an object in line of site ofthe one or more light sources, such as, e.g., a user's face during useof the camera. The one or more light sources may provide light at anilluminance of at least 1 lux. The lighting device further comprises apower member for providing power to the one or more light sources.

The power member may be in electrical contact with a direct current(“DC”) or alternating current (“AC”) power source. Alternatively, thepower member may be in electrical contact with an energy storage device,such as a battery. In some situations, the power member may be inelectrical contact with a power source of the portable electronicdevice, or in electrical contact with one or more ports of the portableelectronic device. For example, the power member may be in electricalcontact with one or more universal serial bus (“USB”) ports of theportable electronic device. As another example, the power member may bein electrical contact with one or more serial buses of the portableelectronic device selected from USB and FireWire.

In another aspect of the invention, a lighting device for a portableelectronic device having a display and a camera may comprise one or morelight sources for illuminating a user's face during use of the camera.The one or more light sources may be for providing light at anilluminance of at least 1 lumen per square meter (lux). The lightingdevice may further include power member for providing power to the oneor more light sources. The lighting device may be configured to mount toa display of the portable electronic device.

FIG. 5A shows a portable electronic device 500, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The portable electronic device 500 may beany portable computer, such as a laptop computer (e.g., Apple® Macbook®family of computers, Lenovo laptop, Dell laptop, Sony laptop, ToshibaLaptop), slate personal computer (PC) or tablet PC (e.g., Apple® iPad®,Blackberry Playbook, Motorola® Zoom). The portable electronic device 500may include an enclosure (or housing) 502, a display 504, inputstructures 506, and input/output connectors 508. The input/outputconnectors 508 may include one or more serial buses, such as a universalserial bus or FireWire. The enclosure 502 may be formed from a polymericmaterial (e.g., plastic), metal, composite materials, or other suitablematerials, or any combination thereof. The enclosure 502 may protect theinterior components of the portable electronic device 500 from physicaldamage, and may also shield the interior components from electromagneticinterference (EMI).

The display 504 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode ray tube(CRT) or other suitable display type. In one embodiment, a suitable LCDmay be based on light emitting diodes (LED) or organic light emittingdiodes (OLED). In one embodiment, one or more of the input structures506 may be configured to control the device 500 or applications runningon the device 500. The portable electronic device 500 may include anynumber of input structures 506, including buttons, switches, a mouse, acontrol or touch pad, a keyboard, or any other suitable inputstructures. The input structures 506 may operate to control functions ofthe portable electronic device 500 and/or any interfaces or devicesconnected to or used by the portable electronic device 500. For example,the input structures 506 may allow a user to navigate a displayed userinterface or application interface.

The device 500 may also include various input and output ports (“ports”)508 to allow connection of additional devices. For example, the device500 may include any number of input and/or output ports 508, such asheadphone and headset jacks, video ports, universal serial bus (USB)ports, IEEE-1394 ports, Ethernet and modem ports, and AC and/or DC powerconnectors. Further, the portable electronic device 500 may use theinput and output ports 508 to connect to and send or receive data withany other device, such as a modem, external display, projector,networked computers, printers, or the like. For example, in oneembodiment, the portable electronic device 500 may connect to a scanner,digital camera or other device capable of generating digital images(e.g., iPhone®, iPad®, Smartphone) via a USB connection to send andreceive data files, such as image files. One or more of the ports 508may be configured to provide power to an external device.

The device 500 may also include a camera 510. In the illustratedembodiment, the camera 510 is for taking one or more images or videosfrom one or more objects in front of the device 500 (i.e., the camera510 may be a “front-facing” camera). The device 500 may include hardwareand software for operating the camera 510 to collect one or more imagesand/or videos from objects in line of sight of the camera 510.

With continued reference to FIG. 5A, a lighting device 512 is shownattached to the portable electronic device 500, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The lighting device 512 can be separablefrom the portable electronic device 500. The lighting device 512 may bemounted to a top portion of the display 504. The lighting device 512 mayinclude light sources 514 for providing light to one or more objects,such as one or more objects facing the lighting device 512. The lightsources 514 may be light emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic LEDs (OLEDs),as described above. The lighting device 512 may be powered by a powersource, such a direct current (DC) power source. In one embodiment, thelighting device 512 may be powered by the device 500 via one or moreports of the device 500 with the aid of one or more power cordsconnected to the one or more ports 508. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 5, the lighting device 512 is powered by a power cord 516 connectedto a port 508 of the device. In one embodiment, the port 508 may be aUSB or FireWire port. In another embodiment, the lighting device 512 maybe powered by a plurality of ports 508, such as a plurality of USBports. Alternatively, the lighting device 512 may be powered by abattery or photovoltaic (PV) module, or an external power source, suchas an alternating current (AC) power source with the aid of an AC-to-DCconverter (e.g., transformer) (as described above).

The lighting device 512 may include a mounting member (not shown) formounting the display of the device 500. The mounting member may beinclude one or more of a magnetic material, a fastener (e.g., metalfastener, Velcro® fastener, polymer fastener), one or more screws ornails, and an epoxy or resin-type material. The mounting member may beconfigured to permanently or removably attaching the mounting member tothe display of the device.

While the lighting device 512, as illustrated, may include four lightsources 514, in other embodiments, the lighting device 512 may includeany number of light sources 514. In one embodiment, the lighting device512 may include one light source 514. In another embodiment, thelighting device 512 may include three light sources 514. In anotherembodiment, the lighting device 512 may include at least 5, or at least6, or at least 7, or at least 8, or at least 9, or at least 10, or atleast 15, or at least 20, or at least 50, or at least 100, or at least1000 light sources 514. The light sources may be configured to havevarying levels of illuminance (as described above).

The device 500 may include software for operating the lighting device512. Such software may enable a user to turn the light sources 514 onand off at predetermined intervals, dime the light sources 514, or tosynchronize providing power to the light sources 514 with taking apicture or video such that the light sources 514 turn on when a userdesires to take a picture or video.

In some situations, the a lighting device 512 may be used with otherelectronic devices, such as desktop computers and/or computer displayscoupled to desktop computers. For example, the lighting device may befor mounting to a display of a desktop computer, thereby providinglighting during use of a camera of the desktop computer. As anotherexample, the lighting device 512 may be used with desktop computers inwhich the one or more central processing units (CPUs), other electroniccomponents and the display are in a single unit (e.g., Apple® iMac).

In another aspect of the invention, a lighting device includes a jackconnector for mating with a socket connector of a portable electronicdevice, a lighting member electrically coupled to the jack connector,and a connector electrically coupled to the jack connector, theconnector for mating with another lighting device.

In other cases, a lighting device is provided for use with a Smartphone(e.g., iPhone), or a slate or tablet PCs, such as, e.g., Apple® iPad®,Blackberry Playbook and Motorola Zoom. FIG. 5B shows a device 520 havinga front-facing camera 525, a screen 528 and dock connector 530, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. A lighting device 535 isshown mounted on a bottom portion of the device 520. The lighting device535 may be used to illuminate a user or other object during use of thefront-facing camera 525.

The lighting device 535 is mounted on (or attached to) the device 520.In some embodiments, the lighting device 535 is separable from thedevice 520. In some situations, the lighting device 535 is attached tothe device 520 with the aid of the dock connector 530. In othersituations, the lighting device 535 is attached to the device 520 withthe aid of an attachment members, such as a clamp, clip or hook and loopfasteners (e.g., Velcro® strap).

The lighting device 535 includes an interface (e.g., power orcommunications chord) that mates with the dock connector 530 to providepower and/or enable the device 520 to communication with the lightingdevice 535. The lighting device includes a plurality of lighting members540 (three shown), such as, for example, LEDs, but in other cases thelighting device 535 includes any number of lighting members, such as onelighting member, or five lighting members, or ten lighting members. Thelighting members 540 are as described elsewhere herein. The lightingdevice 535 is configured to receive power from the device 520 via thedock connector 530. In some situations, the lighting device 535 iscontrolled by the device 520, such as by an application on the device520, via the dock connector 530. In other situations the lighting device535 is configured for OTA communication with the device 520. In somecases, the lighting device 535 includes onboard power (e.g., battery,fuel cell, photovoltaic module) for providing power to the lightingmembers 540.

FIG. 6 shows a lighting device 600 having a lighting member 605, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The lighting member 605may be a light emitting diode (“LED”). The lighting device 600 mayinclude a connector for interfacing with a portable electronic device.The lighting device 600, as illustrated, includes a surface-mountedconnector (also “jack” or “plug” herein) 610, which is for mating (orinterfacing) with a female electrical contact or socket of a portableelectronic device. The jack 610 may be a headphone-type jack or plug.

A jack may permit a portable electronic device to provide power to alighting device. A jack may be a tip, ring, sleeve (“TRS”) connectorhaving three contacts for providing power to a lighting device andenabling user or software control of the lighting device with the aid ofa portable electronic device electrically coupled to the lightingdevice. For example, one contact of the TRS connector may be forproviding power to the lighting device, and another contact of the TRSconnector may be for controlling intermittent lighting frequency, lightintensity, light flashes, and whether lighting modules are in an ‘on’ or‘off’ state. This may enable a user to time flashes (or short bursts) oflight from the lighting device to a point in time in which a userdesires to take a picture. Another contact of the TRS connector maypermit a user to provide power to the portable electronic device insituations in which the lighting device includes a power source, such asa battery or other energy storage device.

The lighting device 600 may be used to illuminate the face of a user,for example, to take a picture of the user, have a video conversationwith another user, or face time. In other cases, the lighting device 600may be used to illuminate other users, for example, to enable a user totake pictures or videos of others.

The lighting device 600 may include a body 615 that may include one ormore of a battery and printed circuit board (PCB). The lighting device600 may further include a socket 620 for accepting a headphone connector(or jack) and a switch 625 to enable a user to turn the lighting device600 “on” or “off”. When the lighting device 600 is turned off, thelighting member 605 does not emit light. When the lighting device 600 isturned on, the lighting member 605 emits light. The switch 625 may beoperatively coupled to a printed circuit board in the body 615, that maybe in electrical communication with the lighting member 605 and the jack610. The switch 625 may operate independently of any software,application or device. For example, if the lighting device 600 iscommunicatively coupled to software (e.g., iPhone® App), the switch 625may enable a user to turn the lighting device 600 off even when softwareinstructs the lighting device 600 to emit light. In some cases, theswitch 625 may enable a user to adjust a power level of the lightingmember 605, or to dim the lighting member 605.

With the lighting device 600 mounted on a portable electronic device,the jack 610 mates with a socket of the portable electronic device and auser may turn the lighting member 605 on or off with the aid of theswitch 625. The jack 615 may permit the user to rotate the lightingdevice 600 any number of degrees with respect to its original positionand along a rotational axis in a plane orthogonal to the lighting device600.

The lighting device 600 may be customizable. For example, a surfaceopposite a surface having the lighting member 605 may include an areafor text or images. In such a case, the surface may permit anindividual, company or entity to include an image, representative textor logo of the individual, company or entity. As another example, thelighting device 600 may have a customizable color or skin. As anotherexample, the lighting device 600 may include customizable branding.

The lighting device 600 may include a connector 630 for mating withother lighting devices. The connector 630 may permit a user to customizea lighting device to have various sizes, shapes and colors. In someembodiments, the connector 630 may permit a user to attach one or moreother lighting devices to the lighting device 600. In such a case, thelighting device 600 may be modular. In some cases, a user may insert ajack of another lighting device into the socket 620 of the lightingdevice 600 to stack lighting devices.

The lighting device 600, as illustrated, includes one connector 630.However, the lighting device 600 may include at least 1, or at least 5or at least 10 connectors.

The lighting device 600 may have a width (as measured along an axisorthogonal to an axis having the jack 610) from about 0.5 inches to 12inches, a depth (as measured along an axis into the plane of the page)from about 0.05 inches to 5 inches, and a height (as measured along theaxis parallel to the jack 610) from about 0.5 inches to 12 inches.

The lighting member 605 may have varying levels of illuminance, asdescribed above. For example, the lighting member 605 may have anilluminance of at least about 1 lux, or at least about 2 lux, or atleast about 3 lux, or at least about 4 lux, or at least about 5 lux, orat least about 6 lux, or at least about 7 lux, or at least about 8 lux,or at least about 9 lux, or at least about 10 lux, or at least about 50lux, or at least about 100 lux, or at least about 500 lux, or at leastabout 1,000 lux, or at least about 50,000 lux, or at least about 10,000lux.

In some situations, the lighting device 600 includes a connectorsuitable for mating with an electronic interface of a portableelectronic device, such as a docking connector of a tablet PC,Smartphone, or other electronic device (e.g., Laptop computer, musicplayer). In such a case, the jack 610 of the lighting device 600 isprecluded and the lighting device 600 includes a connector suitable formating with the docking connector of the portable electronic device.

In some embodiments, the lighting device 600 is communicatively coupledto a portable electronic device via wireless or wired communication,such as via over the air (OTA) communication (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth) orwired communication, such as by way of a docking connector (e.g., jack610). This permits the portable electronic device to communicate withthe lighting device, such as to turn the lighting member 605 on and off,or to time supplying power to the lighting member 605 to take a pictureor video. In some cases, the portable electronic device includes anapplication (“app”) configured to communicate with the lighting member600. The app may enable a user to turn the lighting member 605 on andoff, or to use the lighting device 600 to provide lighting for stillimages or videos.

In some situations, the jack (or other connector) of the lighting device600 is precluded and the lighting device supplies power to the lightingmember 605 via an onboard power supply. In such a case, the lightingdevice 600 may mount a portable electronic device via a mounting member,such as a clip, and communicate with the portable electronic device viawired or wireless (e.g., OTA) communication.

FIG. 7 illustrates how the lighting modules may be modular. Withreference to FIG. 7, a lighting module 700 is shown having a firstlighting device 705 attached (or operatively coupled) to a secondlighting device 710, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.The first lighting device 705 includes a first lighting member 715, andthe second lighting device 710 includes second lighting members 720. Anadditional lighting device may be attached to the second lighting device710. In some cases, the first lighting device 705 may include additionalconnectors for mating with a plurality of lighting devices. For example,the first lighting device 705 may include a connector on a side oppositethe second lighting device 710 for mating with a third lighting device(not shown).

The first lighting device 705 and second lighting device 710 may havethe same color or shape or different colors and shapes. For example, thefirst lighting device 705 may be black and the second lighting device710 may be red. In addition, the first lighting device 705 and secondlighting device 710 may have any number of lighting members. The firstlighting device 705 may have 1 or more, or 2 or more, or 3 or more, or 4or more, or 5 or more, or 10 or more, or 20 or more, or 30 or more, or40 or more, or 50 or more lighting members 715. The second lightingdevice 710 may have 1 or more, or 2 or more, or 3 or more, or 4 or more,or 5 or more, or 10 or more, or 20 or more, or 30 or more, or 40 ormore, or 50 or more lighting members 720.

In embodiments, the lighting module 700 may enable a user to construct(or piece together) lighting devices to form a lighting module (or powermodule, see below). This may enable a user to customize lighting devicesas desired. Lighting devices of various shapes, sizes, colors, designsand lighting members (i.e., colors of light, frequency of emitted light,varying levels of illuminance) may be mixed and matched to provide alighting module 700 having characteristics desired by a user. Inaddition, lighting devices of lighting modules may be formed ofdisposable material (“disposable”). For example, the user may couple twolighting device to form a lighting module having two lighting devices.In other cases, a user may couple up to 2, or up to 3, or up to 4, or upto 5, or up to 6, or up to 7, or up to 8, or up to 9, or up to 10, or upto 20, or up to 30, or up to 40, or up to 50, or up to 100, or up to1000 lighting devices to form a lighting module. Lighting devices may beconnected (or coupled) to one another in series, parallel, or acombination of serial and parallel connections.

In some cases, a lighting device may have an illuminance of at leastabout 1 lux, or at least about 2 lux, or at least about 3 lux, or atleast about 4 lux, or at least about 5 lux, or at least about 6 lux, orat least about 7 lux, or at least about 8 lux, or at least about 9 lux,or at least about 10 lux, or at least about 50 lux, or at least about100 lux, or at least about 500 lux, or at least about 1,000 lux, or atleast about 50,000 lux, or at least about 10,000 lux. The illuminance ofa lighting device may be a net illuminance of all lighting members (orlight sources) of the lighting device. The illuminance of a lightingmodule may be a net illuminance of all lighting devices, includinglighting members, of the lighting module.

The lighting members of each of the lighting devices may have any shape,distribution and color. In some cases, lighting members may emit lighthaving a wavelength (or frequency) in the infrared, visible orultraviolet portions of the spectrum of light. FIG. 8 shows variousexamples of shapes and lighting configurations for lighting devices.FIG. 8A shows a lighting device 800 having two lighting members (e.g.,LEDs) 805 and a connector 810 on each side of the lighting device. Theconnectors 810 may enable a user to connect the lighting device 800 toother lighting devices, such as, for example, in the manner shown inFIG. 7. FIG. 8B shows a ring-like lighting device 815 having lightingmembers (e.g., LEDs) 820 distributed around an opening 825. Thering-like lighting device 815 includes a connector 830 to permit a userto connect the lighting device to another lighting device. FIG. 8C showsa lighting device 835 having fiber optic lighting members, a connector845 and socket 850 for mating with a jack (e.g., headphone jack). FIG.8D shows a lighting device 855 having a lighting strip 860, a connector865 and socket 870. The lighting strip 860 may be flexible to permit auser to mold or shape the lighting strip 860 into various shapes andconfigurations.

Lighting devices may have various shapes, sizes, colors and modularity.For example, lighting devices, such as the lighting device 600 of FIG.6, may be circular, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal,hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, nanagonal, or decagonal. As anotherexample, lighting devices may have shapes set after, or resembling,cartoon charters, animals, trees, plants, mushrooms, food, drinks,faces, or inanimate object (e.g., electronics, cars, planes). As anotherexample, a lighting device may be formed of a moldable material, such asa polymeric material, enabling a user to mold or shape the lightingdevice to have a desirable shape or configuration. Lighting devices mayhave widths from about 0.5 inches to 12 inches, depths from about 0.05inches to 5 inches, and heights from about 0.5 inches to 12 inches.Lighting modules may have a plurality of lighting devices modularizedwith the aid of various retention members, such as magnetic retentionmembers, hooks (e.g., metal or polymer hooks), fasteners (e.g., metal,polymer or Velcro® fasteners). Retention members may be connectors thatmay enable a user to build lighting modules of various shapes and sizes.A connector, such as the connector 630 of FIG. 6, may be integrated intothe body of a lighting device and used to connect a lighting device toanother lighting device, thereby forming a lighting module.

FIG. 9A shows a lighting module 900 having a first lighting device 905and a second lighting device 910. The first lighting device 905 includesa plurality of lighting members 915 and the second lighting device 910includes a plurality of lighting members 920. The first lighting device905 and second lighting device 910 may each be a ring-like lightingdevice, such as, for example, the ring-like lighting device 815 of FIG.8B. The first lighting device 905 and the second lighting device 910 mayeach include a connector to enable the first lighting device 905 toattach to the second lighting device 910. As illustrated, the firstlighting device 905 is attached to the second lighting device 910 at anattachment point 925. The connector may be a magnetic connector (ormagnetic assembly), which may permit a user to “snap” the secondlighting device 910 onto the first lighting device 905. In someembodiments, the lighting devices may rotate at the attachment point.This may enable a user to orient one or more of the lighting devices 905and 910 of the module 900 along various angles along an axis orthogonalto the plane of the page. For example, the first lighting device 905 maybe oriented such the lighting members 915, when electrically coupled toa power source (e.g., a portable electronic device), may emit light outof the plane of the page and the lighting members 920 may emit lightinto the plane of the page.

A lighting device may include lighting members (or light sources) on oneor more sides of the lighting device. For example, the first lightingdevice 905 or second lighting device 910 of the lighting module 900 ofFIG. 9 may include light sources on a front and back portion of thelighting device. In some cases, a lighting device may include one ormore light sources on side portions of the lighting device.

The lighting members 915 and 920 are disposed on body portions of thelighting devices 905 and 910, respectively. A body portion of the firstlighting device 905 defines a first opening 930, and a body portion ofthe second lighting device 910 defines a second opening 935.

Lighting devices may have various shapes, sizes and configurations. Inaddition, lighting devices may have various numbers of lighting members(e.g., LEDs), sizes of lighting members and configurations of lightingmembers. With reference to FIG. 10, in an exemplary embodiment, alighting device 1000 includes thirteen lighting members 1005, fourlighting members 1005 disposed on one side of the lighting device 1000and nine disposed on an adjacent side of the lighting device 1000. Thelighting device 1000 includes a jack (or connector) 1010 for mating witha socket of a portable electronic device. The jack may enable theportable electronic device to provide power to the lighting device 1000(as described above).

Power Devices and Modules

In another aspect of the invention, a power device comprises a jackconnector for mating with a socket connector of a portable electronicdevice and a battery electrically coupled to the jack connector. Thebattery may be for providing power to or receiving power from a portableelectronic device through the jack connector.

With reference to FIG. 11, a power device 1100 includes a body 1105having a button 1110, a battery (not shown) in the body 1105, a socket1115 and jack 1120, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.The power device 1100 may include a one or more lighting members, suchas, for example, one or more LEDs. The jack 1115 may permit a user tocouple the power device 1100 to a portable electronic device via asocket that is configured to mate with the jack 1115.

In one embodiment, the power device 1100 may provide power to (or“charge”) a portable electronic device. In such a case, with the jack1120 inserted into a socket of a portable electronic device, a user maypress the button 1110 to provide power to the portable electronicdevice. In another embodiment, the power device may be configured tocharge a battery of the power device, which may subsequently be used toprovide power to various devices, such as, for example, one or morelighting devices or modules. In such a case, with the jack 1120 insertedinto a socket of a portable electronic device, a user may press thebutton 1110 to charge the battery of the power device 1100.

Lighting devices may be coupled to power devices, such as the powerdevice 1100. For example, a lighting device, such as the lighting device600 of FIG. 6, may be inserted into the socket 1115 of the power device1100. As another example, the power device may include a connector on aside portion of the power device to mate with another power device orlighting device, such as, for example, in the manner described in thecontext of FIG. 7.

In some cases, a power device may be coupled to another power device toform a power module. In other cases, a power device may be coupled to alighting device to form a lighting module. The user may add other poweror lighting devices to such modules to form lighting or powerconfigurations as desired.

In some cases, a power device may be coupled to one or more other powerdevices in a serial fashion. This may enable a user to form a powermodule configured to provide a predetermined voltage output. Forexample, if a portable electronic device requires a 12 V power sourceand a power device is configured to output 3 V, a user may connect fourpower devices in series to provide a power module having an output of 12V. In other cases, a power device may be coupled to one or more otherpower devices in parallel. This may enable a user to form a power modulehaving a predetermined capacity. For example, if individual powerdevices have capacities of 1,200 mAh, a power module having two powerdevices connected in parallel may have a capacity of 2,400 mAh. In othercases, power devices may be connected in series and parallel to providepower modules having desirable (or predetermined) capacities andvoltages.

Modularity of power devices may be achieved with the aid of connectors(or coupling members) in the power devices, which may enable a user toconstruct power modules by connecting a power device to another powerdevice (or lighting device) using the connectors. In other cases, a usermay construct a power module by connecting a power device to anotherpower device using a jack of one power device and a socket of anotherpower device. For example, the jack of one power device may be insertedinto the socket 1115 of the power device 1100 of FIG. 11.

Lighting members (or light sources) provided herein may emit lightcontinuously or intermittently. When intermittent, lighting members mayemit light at a predetermined frequency. In some cases, lighting devicesmay be communicatively coupled to a portable electronic device havingsoftware for regulating one or more parameters of the lighting device.For example, software may regulate the intensity of light and thefrequency (i.e., continuous or intermittent) at which the lightingdevice emits light.

Lighting devices provided herein may be communicatively coupled toportable electronic devices mounted by the lighting members. In somesituations, lighting devices receive power via an onboard power supply(e.g., battery, fuel cell, photovoltaic module) and are in wired orwireless (e.g., OTA) communication with portable electronic devices. Insome cases, this permits a portable electronic device to communicatewith a lighting device, such as to turn a lighting member of thelighting device on and off, or to time supplying power to the lightingmember to take a picture or video. In some cases, an application (“app”)installed on the portable electronic device or part of the operatingsystem of the portable electronic device is configured to communicatewith the lighting member, which may enable a user to turn the lightingmember on and off, or to use the lighting device to provide lighting forstill images or videos.

In some situations, an over the air (OTA) protocol communicativelycouples a portable electronic device to a lighting device. The OTAprotocol enables an app of the portable electronic device to control thelighting device, such as to turn one or more lighting members of thelighting device on or off. The OTA protocol may be embedded in ahardware component of the portable electronic device of the lightingdevice.

In some cases, a lighting device configured for OTA communication with aportable electronic device automatically pairs with the portableelectronic device. In an example, the lighting device 600 automaticallypairs with a portable electronic device mounted by the lighting device600. In such a case, OTA communication may be by way of Bluetooth orWiFi (or other wireless standards), and the portable electronic devicemay include an app for automatically detecting and syncing to thelighting device.

In some embodiments, lighting devices and cases described herein areconfigured to turn on and off (or perform other functions) in responseto one or more user commands (or queues), such as verbal or visualcommands. In an embodiment, a portable electronic device includes an appthat is configured to recognize an incoming phone or video call bydetecting a user-specific sound. The app may then turn the lightingdevice on for use in capturing an image or video and off after the imageor video has been captured by the portable electronic device. In somesituations, the lighting device pairs with the portable electronicdevice upon the detection and recognition of the one or more usercommands.

Applications and User Interfaces

Another aspect of the invention provides computer applications (e.g.,software) and user interfaces for use with lighting devices and systems.In some embodiments, user interfaces are provided for controllinglighting devices for use with electronic devices, such as portableelectronic devices. User interfaces can be provided by way ofmachine-executable code stored on a memory location of a system orelectronic device. The machine-executable code can be provided to anelectronic device by way of software.

A user interface can be a graphical user interface (GUI), which in somecases can include one or more textual, graphical, and/or videocomponents for display to a user. In an example, a GUI includes one ormore graphical items for enabling a user to acquire an image or videowith the aid of a camera (e.g., front-facing or back-facing camera) ofan electronic device having the GUI.

In some embodiments, a user interface can be used to facilitatephotography, video and video calling or chat from personal computers,laptops, tablets and mobile phones. In some cases, a GUI can improve theappearance of a user during video communication or for portrait (orstill) photography. In an example, the GUI improves the brightness,image contrast, hue and/or saturation of an image. Such improvement canbe made during image or video acquisition (i.e., in real time) or afterimage or video acquisition.

In some embodiments, a user interface and its associated software can beused with a lighting module, device or system, as described herein. Thesoftware can be installed on an electronic device, such as a portableelectronic device. During installation, machine-executable code can beinstalled on a memory location of the electronic device.

In some cases, the user interface and lighting module can functionindependently of each other, but in other cases they can functionsynergistically. In an example, an application installed on a portableelectronic device for facilitating image and/or video capture pairs witha lighting module. The pairing can be automatic and wireless, such aswith the aid of Bluetooth, WiFi or AirPlay connectivity. An electronicdevice can include the requisite components (e.g., chipset) for theselected mode of wireless communication back to the phone, tablet,laptop or PC. In some embodiments, an application can integrate withthird-party applications for video calling, chatting, and/orphotography.

FIG. 12 shows a process flow 1200 as can be implemented on a userinterface provided herein. A user is initially provided a splash screen1201 on a display of an electronic device having the user interface.Next, under camera view 1205, the user is given the option to take apicture with a camera of the electronic device. In an example, the useris given the option to take a picture with either the front-facing orback-facing (or rear) camera. The user can select from a type (or mode)of image capture. For instance, the user can select to take a video1206, take a picture 1207, view the camera roll 1208, or have a livevideo 1209. The live video can be used to chat with other users, forexample. Upon selecting the type of image capture, the user is presentedwith options for adjusting the image. In an example, the user can selecta filter 1209 and subsequently adjust the selected filter 1210.Alternatively, the user can add a vignette 1211 or add blur 1212. Theuser interface can enable the user to add other effects to the image orvideo. Next, following image capture, the user can share 1213 the imageor video with other users.

A user interface can provide other image capture functionality. A “Supervideo” function can correct and enhances a live video stream and/orportrait pictures used or taken by the user. With this feature, theelectronic device detects (e.g., auto detects, manually detects) theuser's face and applies an image adjustment to the user's face versusthe background. In some cases the correction is performed on the livevideo stream, such as, for example, on every frame or on select orpredetermined frames in order to optimize capture speed and batteryconsumption. The live video stream can be captured using any camera ofthe electronic device, such as, for example, the front-facing orback-facing camera.

In some embodiments, the user interface provides various functionalityand settings to adjust the quality of the video stream or picture. Theuser interface can include one or more sliders and settings to enable auser to adjust color balance, contrast, and/or sharpness of an image.Other features can enable a user to, for example, 1) set the intensityof an image or video, 2) adjust the color balance of an image or video,3) turn on automatically if there is an incoming video call, 4) adjustlighting based on lighting conditions (e.g., outside or ambient light),5) provide a battery consumption indicator, and 6) set battery mode(e.g., “Maximize battery life”, “Best lighting possible”). The userinterface can include pre-configured profiles (e.g., black and white,soft light) for matching the user's skin tone and/or adjusting the imagefor outside lighting conditions. In some cases, the user interface canenable a user to automatically create a lighting profile based on aportrait picture uploaded by user. The user interface can includebranded pre-configured profiles that leverage famous (or otherwisewell-known) cosmetics brands or famous photography studios (e.g., StudioHarcourt). In some cases, the user interface can include third-partyvideo call or chat integration (e.g., Skype, FaceTime, Facebook,Twitter, Google+, Match.com) for automatic on/off and profileadjustment.

In some embodiments, the user interface includes integration for socialnetwork (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, Youtube) uploadingof pictures and videos. In some cases, the user interface can enable auser to capture an image using lighting modules provided herein, enhancethe image, and upload the image to a user's social network profile.

In some embodiments, a user interface is configured to enhance an imagewith the aid of lighting devices or modules provided herein. Forinstance, the user interface can time image or video capture such thatlighting devices provided herein are turned on to provided imageenhancement, such as to provide more light in poor or low lightingconditions. Alternatively, a user interface can provide in-applicationlighting to supplement or replace the lighting module. In some cases,the user interface includes one or more lighted objects (e.g., lightedstrips) on a display of the electronic device or along an edge of thedisplay. The lighted objects can be white rectangular strips, which canbe provided on the display to enable enhanced lighting during image orvideo capture.

In some embodiments, the user interface operates as a control for alighting device or module provided herein, allowing a user to set theintensity and color balance of the lighting provided and other relevantparameters of the module, such as, for example, 1) turning onautomatically if there is incoming video call, 2) adjusting lightingbased on outside or ambient lighting conditions, and 3) providing abattery consumption indicator and settings (e.g., “Maximize batterylife”, “Best lighting possible”).

In some situations, a user is provided with a window showing the user'sface as it is captured by the front camera of the electronic device,which can permit the user to adjust lighting parameters during or priorto image capture. This can advantageously provide instant visualfeedback, permitting the user to enhance an image under various lightingconditions.

In some embodiments, the user interface can function as a vanity mirror,enabling the user to view the user's face with the aid of a camera of anelectronic device having the user interface. The user interface canengage a lighting device or module provided herein (see, e.g., FIG. 2)to enhance the user's image. In some cases, a combination of parameterscan be stored by the user as a profile to be selected or retrieved whendesired.

In some embodiments, the user interface provides in-application lightingto supplement or replace illumination provided by lighting devices ormodules provides herein. In some cases, the user interface includes aone or more lighted (or lightly colored) strips or select regions alongone or more edge portions of a display of an electronic device. The oneor more lighted strips can have a user-selected or otherwisepredetermined or regulated brightness, which in some cases can varybased on lighting conditions, such as lighting conditions detected by alight sensor of the electronic device. The lighted strips in some casescan be included in a portion of the screen having the user interface,such as by way of white strips (e.g., a selected portion of the displayhaving a white background). In other cases, the lighted strips are LED's(e.g., embedded or integrated LED's) that are formed in the screen. Suchin-application lighting can be used with the vanity feature describedabove.

The strips can have various shapes and configurations. In someembodiments, the strips can be circular, oval, triangular, square,rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, or nonagonal in shape, orpartial or combinations of shapes thereof.

In an example, edges of the user interface (or screen) include whiterectangular strips that are provided by the user interface to helpimprove lighting conditions. The white rectangular strips can be definedby a select portion of the user interface, such as a background of theuser interface (e.g., white background). At least a portion of theremainder of the user interface can be darker in color (e.g., black) toprovide improved lighting, such as via the difference in contrast. Thewhite rectangular strips can be disposed at the periphery of the screen,which can enable the user to view other features of the user interface,such as the object in view of the camera. In some cases, in-applicationlighting supplements light provided by lighting devices or modulesprovided herein. The electronic device can use one or both of thelighting devices (or modules) and in-application lighting, as desired,to provide a level of illumination as required. In an example, light isprovided by a light module coupled to an electronic device with acamera, and a user interface provided on a display of the electronicdevice turns white (or other light color) to further illuminate anobject in view of the camera. Such in-application lighting as well aslight provided by a lighting device or module can be providedsimultaneously with a user taking a picture.

In an example, a user takes a picture of the user's face with anelectronic device having a front-facing camera, and the screen (ordisplay) of the electronic device turns white to help illuminate theuser's face. As another example, the user wishes to use the front-facingcamera and display as a mirror, and the user interface on the displayprovides white strips along edge portions of the user interface. In sucha case, a lighting device coupled to the electronic device can providefurther illumination.

In some cases, a user interface includes a dashboard having a settingspanel to enable an electronic device (including a user interface) topair with a lighting device over the air, and to secure such pairing toavoid interferences with other users. The dashboard can enable a user tocontrol in-application lighting.

FIG. 13 shows a portable electronic device 1300 having a display 1305,earpiece 1310, access button 1315 and camera 1320. In some cases, thedisplay 1305 is a capacitive touch or resistive touch display. In anexample, the portable electronic device 100 is an iPhone® or anySmartphone having a front-facing camera. The access button 1315 may befor accessing one or more features of the device 1300, such as a homescreen of a user interface of the device 1300. The earpiece 1310 permitsa user to communicate with another user in a telephonic conversation.The camera 1320 is disposed in a front portion of the electronic device1300 (i.e., “front-facing” camera). A lighting device 1335 is attachedto a connector of the portable electronic device 1300. The lightingdevice 1335 includes a plurality of lighting members 1340 (three shown),such as, for example, LEDs, but in other cases the lighting device 1335includes any number of lighting members, such as one lighting member, orfive lighting members, or ten lighting members. The lighting members1340 are as described elsewhere herein. The lighting device 1335 isconfigured to receive power from the portable electronic device 1300,though in some cases the lighting device 1335 can include an onboardbattery for providing power to the lighting device 1335.

The display 1305 include a user interface having graphical buttons (oricons) to enable a user to turn on (“Light on”) the lighting members1340 and adjust an image (“Image adjust”) captured or to be captured bya camera of the portable electronic device 1300, such as the camera1320. In the illustrated example, a user's face 1345 is displayed in thedisplay 1305, and the user can select to take a picture or capture avideo by selecting the image capture graphical button (“Capture image”)on the user interface.

In some cases, the portable electronic device 1300 is configured tosynchronize turning on the lighting member 1340 upon image (picture orvideo) capture. In such instances, power is supplied to the lightingmembers 1340 when the user elects to capture an image. In other cases, auser can turn the lighting members 1340 on or off as desired, such aswith the aid of a graphical button on the user interface provided on thedisplay 1305.

User interfaces described herein can be provided by way of a computersystem having a display, such as a portable electronic device (see,e.g., FIG. 1). The system can include random-access memory (RAM) forenabling rapid transfer of information to and from a central processingunit (CPU), and to and from a storage module, such as one or morestorage units, including magnetic storage media (i.e., hard disks),flash storage media and optical storage media.

FIG. 14 shows a general purpose computer system 1400 configured for usewith devices and systems provided herein. The system 1400 includesvarious components, such as a storage unit 1405, a central processingunit (CPU) 1410, read-only memory (ROM) 1415, random-access memory (RAM)1420, one or more communication ports (COM PORTS) 1425, and one or moreinput/output (I/O) modules 1430, such as an I/O interface, a networkinterface for enabling the system to interact with an intranet,including other systems and subsystems, and the internet, including theWorld Wide Web. The storage unit can include one or more databases, suchas a relational database. The components of the system 1400 can beinterconnected.

In some cases, the system 1400 includes or is in communication with aserver. A server, for example, can include a data communicationinterface for packet data communication. The server can also include aCPU, in the form of one or more processors, for executing programinstructions. The server platform can include an internal communicationbus, program storage and data storage for various data files to beprocessed and/or communicated by the server, although the server canreceive programming and data via network communications. The hardwareelements, operating systems and programming languages of such serversare conventional in nature, and it is presumed that those skilled in theart are adequately familiar therewith. Of course, the server functionscan be implemented in a distributed fashion on a number of similarplatforms, to distribute the processing load.

Hence, aspects of the methods outlined above can be embodied inprogramming. Program aspects of the technology can be thought of as“products” or “articles of manufacture” typically in the form ofexecutable code and/or associated data that is carried on or embodied ina type of machine readable medium. “Storage” type media can include anyor all of the tangible memory of the computers, processors or the like,or associated modules thereof, such as various semiconductor memories,tape drives, disk drives and the like, which can provide non-transitorystorage at any time for the software programming. All or portions of thesoftware can at times be communicated through the Internet or variousother telecommunication networks. Such communications, for example, canenable loading of the software from one computer or processor intoanother, for example, from a management server or host computer into thecomputer platform of an application server. Thus, another type of mediathat can bear the software elements includes optical, electrical andelectromagnetic waves, such as used across physical interfaces betweenlocal devices, through wired and optical landline networks and overvarious air-links. The physical elements that carry such waves, such aswired or wireless links, optical links or the like, also can beconsidered as media bearing the software. As used herein, unlessrestricted to non-transitory, tangible “storage” media, terms such ascomputer or machine “readable medium” refer to any medium thatparticipates in providing instructions to a processor for execution.

Hence, a machine readable medium can take many forms, including but notlimited to, a tangible storage medium, a carrier wave medium or physicaltransmission medium. Non-volatile storage media include, for example,optical or magnetic disks, such as any of the storage devices in anycomputer(s) or the like, such as can be used to implement the databases,etc. shown in the drawings. Volatile storage media include dynamicmemory, such as main memory of such a computer platform. Tangibletransmission media include coaxial cables; copper wire and fiber optics,including the wires that comprise a bus within a computer system.Carrier-wave transmission media can take the form of electric orelectromagnetic signals, or acoustic or light waves such as thosegenerated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) datacommunications. Common forms of computer-readable media thereforeinclude for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetictape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD or DVD-ROM, any otheroptical medium, punch cards paper tape, any other physical storagemedium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM and EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wavetransporting data or instructions, cables or links transporting such acarrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can readprogramming code and/or data. Many of these forms of computer readablemedia can be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or moreinstructions to a processor for execution.

Example

FIGS. 15A-15G show examples of user interfaces, as can be used withlighting modules and systems provided herein. The user interfaces areimplemented on a portable electronic device having a front-facing andback-facing camera, such as, for example, an iPhone 4S or iPad 2. Theuser interfaces are provided on a screen of the portable electronicdevice.

In FIG. 15A, under camera view, the application loads with the cameraview on. A user can select which camera to use, such as the front-facingor back-facing camera. The user can user a slide at a bottom right-handportion of the screen to select to capture a still picture or a video.The user interface enables the user to start filming a video or take apicture instantly. The user interface provides the user various filtersfor image adjustment (e.g., enhancement), in addition to other imagemanipulation features, such as vignettes and blur (e.g., a tile-shifteffect). For instance, the user interface can permit the user to choosea filter to apply to a live image, or pick a vignette to apply to thecamera view (i.e., the view of the object to the imaged), andsubsequently to the picture or video.

In FIG. 15B, the user has selected “Filters” from the screen of FIG.15A. The user interface presents the user with various filter options(e.g., “Filter #1,” “Filter #2) at a lower portion of the screen. Uponthe user selecting a filter, the user interface applies the filter tothe image on display on the screen of the portable electronic device.The user can then take a picture of video with the selected filter. Thefilters can apply various predetermined filter adjustment or enhancementalgorithms to an image on display on the screen of the portableelectronic device.

In FIG. 15C, once a user has selected a filter, the user interfacepresents the user with a pop-up menu item (̂) for other image enhancementand/or adjustment options. With reference to FIG. 15D, the user hasselected “Filter #6) and the pop-up menu item, and the user interfacehas presented the user with brightness (“Brightness”) and strength(“Strength”) sliders to further adjust the image on display on thescreen of the portable electronic device. The strength slider increases(right) or decreases (left) the effect of the selected filter (“Filter#6). The user can then take a picture or video, or elect to selectanother filter or make other adjustments to the image.

In FIG. 15E the user can modify, transform and/or rotate a vignetteeffect by using the usual editing gestures, such as, for example,pinch-in to reduce the element, pinch-out to enlarge the element,rotating with both fingers, or dragging.

In FIG. 15F, the user can select the top-middle graphical icon to add ablur (tilt-shift) effect to the image in display, and to modify the blureffect, as desired, such as, for example, with the aid of gestures.

In FIG. 15G, the user can share an image captured with the aid of theportable electronic device. The user interface provides the user withvarious options, such as a social network (e.g., Facebook, Twitter),email settings, or online data or image repository (e.g., Flickr)settings. The user interface can enable the user to provide a caption tothe image that has been captured or is to be captured. The user canupload (or “post”) an image or video to a social network (e.g.,Facebook, Google+), send the image or video to one or more emailrecipients, and/or transmit the image or video via a text message to oneor more recipients.

Systems and methods provided herein can be used for still picture andvideo capture. In instants in which examples are described by way ofimage capture, such examples can be applied to video or live-streamvideo capture.

Cases, lighting devices and lighting members described herein may becombined with, or modified by, other devices and methods. For example,cases and lighting devices may be combined with, or modified by, casesprovided by U.S. Pat. No. 7,782,610 to Diebel et al. (“PORTABLEELECTRONIC DEVICE CASE WITH BATTERY”), which is entirely incorporatedherein by reference.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particularimplementations have been illustrated and described, variousmodifications may be made thereto and are contemplated herein. It isalso not intended that the invention be limited by the specific examplesprovided within the specification. While the invention has beendescribed with reference to the aforementioned specification, thedescriptions and illustrations of the preferable embodiments herein arenot meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it shall beunderstood that all aspects of the invention are not limited to thespecific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forthherein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. Variousmodifications in form and detail of the embodiments of the inventionwill be apparent to a person skilled in the art. It is thereforecontemplated that the invention shall also cover any such modifications,variations and equivalents.

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A case configured to be removably attached to asmartphone, comprising: a back that substantially covers a back face ofthe smartphone when the case is attached to the smartphone, the casedefining a first opening configured and arranged so that when the caseis attached to the smartphone, at least part of a display of thesmartphone is visible by way of the first opening, and the case furthercomprising a plurality of light sources positioned along at least a sideregion of the case, and the plurality of light sources are operable toilluminate part of an area to be imaged by a front-facing camera of thesmartphone, wherein the back comprises a second opening that is alignedwith a rear-facing camera of the smartphone when the case is attached tothe smartphone, and wherein the case further comprises an electricalconnector that is configured to receive power from a power sourceexternal to the case.
 14. The case as recited in claim 13, wherein theelectrical connector is electrically connected to one or more of thelight sources of the plurality of light sources.
 15. The case as recitedin claim 13, wherein the electrical connector is electrically connectedto one or more of the plurality of light sources and the electricalconnector is configured, when the case is attached to the smartphone, toreceive power from the smartphone and to provide power received from thesmartphone to one or more of the light sources of the plurality of lightsources.
 16. The case as recited in claim 13, wherein the electricalconnector is disposed at a bottom region of the case.
 17. The case asrecited in claim 13, wherein the case further comprises a power sourcethat is electrically connected to the electrical connector.
 18. The caseas recited in claim 13, wherein the case further comprises arechargeable battery that is electrically connected to the electricalconnector.
 19. The case as recited in claim 13, wherein the case furthercomprises a battery that is electrically connected to the electricalconnector and configured to provide power to the smartphone by way ofthe electrical connector when the case is attached to the smartphone.20. The case as recited in claim 13, further comprising an interfaceconfigured to enable electrical connection of the smartphone with anexternal electronic device when the case is attached to the smartphone.21. The case as recited in claim 13, further comprising one or morelight sources disposed at the back of the case.
 22. The case as recitedin claim 13, wherein the case comprises a first case portion and asecond case portion, and the first case portion and the second caseportion are configured to releasably connect to each other.
 23. The caseas recited in claim 22, wherein the plurality of light sources ispositioned entirely on one or the other of the first case portion andthe second case portion.
 24. The case as recited in claim 13, whereinone or more of the plurality of light sources is a light emitting diode(LED).
 25. The case as recited in claim 13, wherein one or more of theplurality of light sources has a variable illuminance.
 26. The case asrecited in claim 13, wherein the case further comprises a bottom region,a top region, and another side region, and the plurality of lightsources is positioned along fewer than all of the regions of the case.27. The case as recited in claim 13, wherein the case further comprisesa bottom region, a top region, and another side region, and theplurality of light sources is positioned along no more than threeregions of the case.
 28. The case as recited in claim 27, wherein thelight sources in the plurality of light sources are substantiallyequally spaced along one or more of the side region, the another sideregion, and the top region.
 29. The case as recited in claim 13, whereinthe case further comprises a bottom region, and the plurality of lightsources is arranged so that no light sources are positioned along thebottom region.
 30. The case as recited in claim 13, wherein the casefurther comprises a bottom region, a top region, and another sideregion, and the plurality of light sources is positioned along the sideregion, the another side region, and the top region, and no lightsources are positioned along the bottom region.
 31. The case as recitedin claim 13, wherein the case further comprises a bottom region, anotherside region, and a top region, and the plurality of light sources isarranged so that one or more light sources are positioned along the sideregion, the another side region, and part of the top region, and nolight sources are positioned along the bottom region.
 32. The case asrecited in claim 13, wherein the case further comprises a bottom region,a top region, and another side region, and the one or more light sourcesare arranged so that the light sources are located along the sideregion, the another side region, and the top region, and no lightsources are located along the bottom region.
 33. A case configured to beremovably attached to a smartphone, comprising: a back thatsubstantially covers a back face of the smartphone when the case isattached to the smartphone, the case defining a first opening configuredand arranged so that when the case is attached to the smartphone, atleast part of a display of the smartphone is visible by way of the firstopening, and the case further comprising a plurality of light sourcespositioned along at least a side region of the case, and the pluralityof light sources are operable to illuminate part of an area to be imagedby a front-facing camera of the smartphone, wherein the back comprises asecond opening that is aligned with a rear-facing camera of thesmartphone when the case is attached to the smartphone, and wherein whenthe case is attached to the smartphone, one or more light sources of theplurality of light sources are responsive to one or more signals sent tothe one or more light sources by, or at the direction of, an app that isresident on the smartphone.
 34. The case as recited in claim 33, whereina response of one or more light sources of the plurality of lightsources to the one or more signals is a change in illuminance of the oneor more light sources.
 35. The case as recited in claim 33, wherein aresponse of one or more light sources of the plurality of light sourcesto the one or more signals is to either emit light, or stop emittinglight.
 36. The case as recited in claim 33, wherein a response of one ormore light sources of the plurality of light sources to the one or moresignals is to emit light and stop emitting light at predeterminedintervals.
 37. The case as recited in claim 33, wherein a response ofone or more light sources of the plurality of light sources to the oneor more signals is a change in one or both of a color balance of lightemitted by the one or more light sources of the plurality of lightsources, and an intensity of light emitted by the one or more lightsources of the plurality of light sources.
 38. The case as recited inclaim 33, wherein a response of one or more light sources of theplurality of light sources to the one or more signals is one or morechanges in an image displayed by the smartphone, and the one or morechanges occur with respect to one or more of a brightness of the image,a contrast of the image, a hue of the image, and a saturation of theimage.
 39. The case as recited in claim 33, wherein a response of one ormore light sources of the plurality of light sources to the one or moresignals is to begin emitting light when a call is received at thesmartphone.
 40. The case as recited in claim 33, wherein a response ofone or more light sources of the plurality of light sources to the oneor more signals is a change in operation of the one or more lightsources of the plurality of light sources when a user provides an inputto the smartphone directing the smartphone to perform an action.
 41. Thecase as recited in claim 33, wherein a response of one or more lightsources of the plurality of light sources to the one or more signals isto start emitting light when a user provides an input to the smartphonedirecting the smartphone to perform an action.
 42. The case as recitedin claim 33, wherein a response of one or more light sources of theplurality of light sources to the one or more signals is to startemitting light when a user provides an input to the smartphone directingthe smartphone to take a picture or take a video.
 43. The case asrecited in claim 33, wherein a response of one or more light sources ofthe plurality of light sources to the signal is to emit light of aparticular color.
 44. The case as recited in claim 33, wherein aresponse of one or more light sources of the plurality of light sourcesto the one or more signals is a change in a color, or colors, of lightemitted by the one or more light sources.
 45. A case configured to beremovably attached to a smartphone, comprising: a back thatsubstantially covers a back face of the smartphone when the case isattached to the smartphone, the case defining an opening configured andarranged so that when the case is attached to the smartphone, at leastpart of a display of the smartphone is visible by way of the opening,and the case further comprising a first plurality of light sourcespositioned along at least a side region of the case, and the pluralityof light sources are operable to illuminate part of an area to be imagedby a front-facing camera of the smartphone, wherein the case furthercomprises a second plurality of one or more light sources positioned atthe back of the case, and the second plurality of one or more lightsources is operable to illuminate part of an area to be imaged by arear-facing camera of the smartphone when the case is attached to thesmartphone.
 46. The case as recited in claim 45, wherein the lightsources in the second plurality of light sources are disposed along oneor more portions of a periphery of the back of the case.
 47. The case asrecited in claim 45, wherein the light sources in the second pluralityof light sources are disposed along a first side portion and a secondside portion of a periphery of the back of the case.
 48. The case asrecited in claim 45, wherein the light sources in the second pluralityof light sources are disposed along a majority of a periphery of theback of the case.
 49. The case as recited in claim 45, wherein the lightsources included in the second plurality of light sources are disposedalong an upper end portion and a lower end portion of a periphery of theback of the case.
 50. The case as recited in claim 45, wherein the lightsources included in the second plurality of light sources aresubstantially equally spaced apart from each other.
 51. The case asrecited in claim 45, wherein a first light source of the secondplurality of light sources is positioned along a first side portion of aperiphery of the back of the case, and a second light source of thesecond plurality of light sources is positioned along a second sideportion of a periphery of the back of the case.
 52. The case as recitedin claim 45, wherein the second plurality of light sources comprises afirst group of light sources distributed along a first side portion of aperiphery of the back of the case, and the second plurality of lightsources comprises a second group of light sources distributed along asecond side portion of the periphery of the back of the case, whereinthe first and second side portions of the periphery of the back of thecase are disposed opposite each other.
 53. The case as recited in claim45, wherein the light sources in the second plurality of light sourcesare arranged in first and second groups that are parallel to each otherand the first and second groups are oriented in a lengthwise directionof the case.
 54. The case as recited in claim 45, wherein the casecomprises a first case portion and a second case portion, and the firstcase portion and the second case portion are configured to releasablyconnect to each other.
 55. The case as recited in claim 45, wherein oneor more of the light sources is a light emitting diode (LED).
 56. Thecase as recited in claim 45, wherein one or more of the light sourceshas a variable illuminance.
 57. The case as recited in claim 45, furthercomprising an electrical connector that is configured to receive powerfrom a power source external to the case.
 58. The case as recited inclaim 57, wherein the electrical connector is electrically connectedwith the one or more light sources.
 59. The case as recited in claim 57,further comprising a battery that is electrically connected to theelectrical connector.
 60. The case as recited in claim 59, wherein thebattery is operable to provide power to the smartphone when theelectrical connector is mated with an electronic interface of thesmartphone.
 61. The case as recited in claim 57, wherein the electricalconnector is electrically connected to the one or more light sources andthe electrical connector is configured, when the case is attached to thesmartphone, to receive power from the smartphone and to provide thepower received from the smartphone to the one or more light sources. 62.The case as recited in claim 45, wherein when the case is attached tothe smartphone, one or more of the light sources are responsive to oneor more signals sent to the one or more light sources by, or at thedirection of, an app that is resident on the smartphone.
 63. The case asrecited in claim 62, wherein a response of the one or more light sourcesto the one or more signals is a change in illuminance of the one or morelight sources.
 64. The case as recited in claim 62, wherein a responseof the one or more light sources to the one or more signals is to eitheremit light, or stop emitting light.
 65. The case as recited in claim 62,wherein a response of the one or more light sources to the one or moresignals is to emit light and stop emitting light at predeterminedintervals.
 66. The case as recited in claim 62, wherein a response ofthe one or more light sources to the one or more signals is a change inone or both of a color balance of light emitted by the one or more lightsources, and an intensity of light emitted by the one or more lightsources.
 67. The case as recited in claim 62, wherein a response of theone or more light sources to the one or more signals is one or morechanges in an image displayed by the smartphone, and the one or morechanges occur with respect to one or more of a brightness of the image,a contrast of the image, a hue of the image, and a saturation of theimage.
 68. The case as recited in claim 62, wherein a response of theone or more light sources to the one or more signals is to beginemitting light when a call is received at the smartphone.
 69. The caseas recited in claim 62, wherein a response of the one or more lightsources to the one or more signals is a change in operation when a userprovides an input to the smartphone directing the smartphone to performan action.
 70. The case as recited in claim 62, wherein a response ofthe one or more light sources to the one or more signals is to startemitting light when a user provides an input to the smartphone directingthe smartphone to take a picture or take a video.
 71. The case asrecited in claim 62, wherein a response of the one or more light sourcesto the signal is to emit light of a particular color.
 72. The case asrecited in claim 62, wherein a response of the one or more light sourcesto the one or more signals is a change in a color, or colors, of lightemitted by the one or more light sources.
 73. The case as recited inclaim 45, wherein one or more of the light sources is at least partlyembedded in the case.
 74. The case as recited in claim 45, wherein thecase further comprises another side region and a top region and a bottomregion, and the one or more light sources of the first plurality oflight sources are arranged so that no light sources of the firstplurality of light sources are located along the bottom region of theopening.
 75. The case as recited in claim 45, wherein the case comprisesa polymeric material.
 76. The case as recited in claim 45, wherein theopening of the case further comprises another side region locatedopposite the side region, and the one or more light sources of the firstplurality of light sources are evenly distributed along the side regionand along the another side region.
 77. The case as recited in claim 45,wherein a portion of the case that is configured to receive thesmartphone has a single-piece construction.
 78. The case as recited inclaim 45, wherein one or more of the light sources of the firstplurality of light sources is positioned in an impression in the case.79. The case as recited in claim 45, wherein all of the light sources inthe second plurality of light sources have the same illuminance.
 80. Thecase as recited in claim 45, wherein the one or more light sources ofthe first plurality of light sources are evenly spaced along the sideregion.